The Future of Gaming: The Upcoming Battle Between Mobile and Console

The gaming industry is currently teeming with questions regarding the future

14:16 06 December 2018

One of the biggest questions can be put as simply as, “will mobile gaming become bigger than console gaming?” With mobile (or hybrid) consoles being released along with gaming phones, the unspoken competition is entirely palpable. But beyond all the speculation derived from the views and opinions of fans alike, there are several factors that can bring objective light to this great unknown.

The industry’s increasing value

To date, the mobile gaming industry is predicted to reach a revenue of $70 billion by the end of 2018, which is already larger than that of the video game industry revenue. This can to a large extent be seen as a result of the abilities provided to game developers by the latest technology. As the release of 5G networks nears and the graphics for mobile games become increasingly better, it is clear that mobile games have come a long way since their basic functions in the '90s. Today, players are able to easily access the same level of gaming quality as they would from a console.

The biggest games in the most convenient way

Major console brands that have made the industry what it is today are known to be on the more expensive side. While there is nothing wrong with this, some can’t always afford these luxuries. Mobile gaming offers a more accessible method of enjoying the same entertainment and increasingly more of the most loved games (such as PUBG and Fortnite) as you would on a console or desktop. Cross-platform is the key word here, with an increasing number of traditional game developers either porting their titles to mobiles or at least making companion games for them - like Fallout Shelter for iOS and Android by Bethesda.

The use of casino apps is also a good indication that this specific industry is embracing the convenient gaming trend, in addition to offering more than a promotional offer or casino bonus to enhance on-the-go mobile play usage. Players no longer have to wait until they are able to go on their PCs or laptops in order to play online slots and other casino games. With mobile phones being more affordable than many consoles, it is natural for the market to flourish in a time where nobody wants to miss out.

Mobile phones vs mobile consoles

Console developers PlayStation and Nintendo recognised the need for mobility many years ago and were first on the scene with models like the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS. Since these releases (which both occurred back in 2004), updated versions such as the PlayStation Vita have been introduced to stay on top of the mobile revolution. The compact Nintendo Switch has also been designed to appeal to the need for mobility and potentially stay ahead of the competition. However, gaming console companies were not the only ones to propel in this direction. Mobile brands like Samsung, Huawei and Razer Phone are revealing specs of a new standard in mobile gaming, while ultimately saving consumers money as everything they need is in one device.

After considering all this, it seems fair to suggest that mobile gaming may soon become more popular than the use of consoles for gaming. But by no means is this to say the likes of PlayStation and Xbox will fade away any time soon. Personal preference aside, both ways to play have their place in our era and are bound to stick around for years to come.